In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, padusan prior to Ramadhan season at all tourism spots across Bantul will not be conducted. Please do pay attention to this matter.Bantul (ANTARA) - The Tourism Agency of Bantul District, Yogyakarta Special Region, canceled the tradition of padusan, wherein Muslims bathe in public pools and beaches to purify themselves before the Ramadhan holy month, over concerns of COVID-19 transmission.
"In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, padusan prior to the Ramadhan season will not be practiced at all tourism locations across Bantul. Please do pay attention to this matter," according to the agency's official announcement issued on Thursday.
Kwintarto Heru Prabowo, the local agency’s head, confirmed the decision to contain the further spread of coronavirus among people.
As of 4 p.m. local time on April 22, Yogyakarta Province reported 75 COVID-19 positive cases out of the total 713 patients under observation, and Bantul is one of the areas within the region with a relatively large number of cases.
However, the local government is ready to enforce the law in the event of people found violating rules by visiting the beach area.
"We have a joint team comprising the Tourism Agency, COVID-19 Local Task Force, Civil Service Police Unit, Transportation Agency, as well as police and military personnel," Prabowo remarked.
Local government secretary, Helmi Jamharis, has sought an extension on Bantul's tourism spots through April 30 aligning with his circular letter dated March 31.
Jamharis, concurrently chief of the local task force, urged the management of tourism spots to put up announcement boards highlighting the matter at entry locations in order to prevent such risks. Related news: Jakarta Emergency Hospital records rise in COVID-19 inpatients
Related news: Ministry readies legal basis for implementation of mudik ban
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Translator: Hery Sidik, Suwanti
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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